Soft bit data transmission for error correction control in non-volatile memory

Abstract

Data stored in non-volatile storage is decoded using iterative probabilistic decoding. An error correcting code such as a low density parity check code may be used. In one approach, initial reliability metrics, such as logarithmic likelihood ratios, are used in decoding sensed states of a set of non-volatile storage element. The decoding attempts to converge by adjusting the reliability metrics for bits in code words which represent the sensed state. Soft data bits are read from the memory if the decoding fails to converge. Initial reliability metric values are provided after receiving the hard read results and at each phase of the soft bit operation(s). In one embodiment, a second soft bit is read from the memory using multiple subsets of soft bit compare levels. While reading at the second subset of compare levels, decoding can be performed based on the first subset data.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is related to co-pending, commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed herewith, entitled “Non-Volatile Memory with Soft Bit Data Transmission for Error Correction Control” (Docket No. SAND-1230US1), cross-referenced and incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to non-volatile memory technology.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Semiconductor memory has become increasingly popular for use in various electronic devices. For example, non-volatile semiconductor memory is used in cellular telephones, digital cameras, personal digital assistants, mobile computing devices, non-mobile computing devices and other devices. Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) and flash memory are among the most popular non-volatile semiconductor memories. With flash memory,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]One exemplary implementation includes a set of non-volatile storage elements and one or more managing circuits in communication with the set of non-volatile storage elements. The one or more managing circuits can perform the processes described above. In one embodiment, the managing circuitry reads using error correction control by reading user data from the set of non-volatile storage elements using a first plurality of read compare points, each compare point corresponding to a programmable state of the storage elements, reading a set of soft data from the set of storage elements at a higher bit resolution than the user data using a second plurality of read compare points having a larger number of read compare points than the first plurality, and decoding the user data using a first subset of the soft data while reading to determine a second subset of the soft data.

Problems solved by technology

However, the sensed programming state can sometimes vary from the intended programming state due to factors including noise and the tendency of devices to gravitate towards charge neutrality over time.

Consequently, it is common for to encounter erroneous or corrupted data bits at the time of reading non-volatile memory.

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